merrion street

 2nd February 2012

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has today welcomed a new joint protocol aimed at protecting vulnerable children between jurisdictions which was formally launched today at the North South Ministerial Council meeting in Armagh attended by Minister Fitzgerald and her Northern Ireland counterpart Health Minister Edwin Poots.

 Under this new protocol information in relation to children who are in care, who are on the child protection register, or in respect of whom there is a level of concern and who move between Northern Ireland and the Republic will be shared between the statutory authorities in both jurisdictions.

 Welcoming the new protocol, Minister Fitzgerald stated: “A child’s need to be cared-for and protected doesn’t suddenly stop when that child crosses a border.

“This protocol will allow for a seamless approach to cross-border cooperation focussed on that which is vital: the best interests of the child. The protocol will ensure that children and families moving between the two jurisdictions receive the care and protection they need in a timely and appropriate manner.

Minister Poots stated: “This new protocol on sharing information between statutory authorities will help the authorities on both sides of the border serve the best interests of children concerned and maintain a better standard of care and protection.

 This new protocol follows on from the launch, in 2010 of the North-South Child Protection Hub. The Hub is targeted at child protection staff working in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It provides comprehensive information across the range of issues for staff working with children, i.e. legislation, policy, research and practice information. It is updated daily and has cutting edge features that save staff precious time and effort in accessing valuable research and information.

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